Rebel Women’s Big Bash League scores on TV

Network Ten has reported its opening weekend of Rebel Women’s Big Bash League coverage was a hit with viewers.

The broadcaster released this statement about its weekend cricket ratings:

Network Ten’s coverage of the first four matches of the 2016-17 Rebel Women’s Big Bash League competition was a hit with viewers, attracting significantly more viewers than last summer’s season average.

On Saturday evening, session two of the Sydney Thunder-Melbourne Stars match drew 432,000 viewers nationally – up 67% on last summer’s season average – and peaked at 637,000.

In the capital cities alone, the viewership of session two was up 77% on last year and it ranked as the most-watched Rebel Women’s Big Bash League match ever.

Yesterday afternoon, season two of the Sydney Sixers-Brisbane Heat match attracted 371,000 viewers nationally – up 44% on the 2015-16 season average – and peaked at 505,000. In the capital cities, session two’s audience jumped 55%.

Across the weekend, an average of 293,000 viewers nationally watched Network Ten’s live, free and exclusive coverage – up 14% from the 2015-16 season average – with a peak national audience of 449,000.

In the capital cities, Network Ten’s coverage dominated its timeslots, ranking #1 among men, people 25 to 54 and under 55s.

The Rebel Women’s Big Bash League also dominated social media over the weekend, with #WBBL02 trending at #1 on Twitter nationally on Saturday and Sunday, and Deandra Dottin trending at #2 nationally yesterday.

Network Ten executive, Big Bash, David Barham, said: “We are encouraged by the ratings for the Rebel Women’s Big Bash League. We are committed to its long-term growth and believe that with a consistent effort over the next few seasons, it will grow into a strong, standalone television sport.

“Our partnership with Cricket Australia is strong. The results, both at the ground and on television, of the weekend’s cricket festival at North Sydney Oval is tangible proof of what can be achieved when both parties are in sync and working towards one goal.”

Network Ten’s coverage of the Rebel Women’s Big Bash League continues on Saturday December 31, with the clash between the Adelaide Strikers and the Perth Scorchers at the Adelaide Oval.

A total of 12 Rebel Women’s Big Bash League will be broadcast on Network Ten over the summer, including the Semi Finals and the Big Final. Ten of the 12 matches will be shown on the main TEN channel.

And the action and excitement of the KFC Big Bash League gets off to a thrilling start on 20 December with the “Sydney Smash” showdown between the Sydney Thunder and the Sydney Sixers – live, free and exclusive this summer on Network Ten and WIN Network.

A bumper schedule will see 35 KFC Big Bash League matches played in 40 days, including four double-headers.

With all 35 matches to be broadcast in prime time on TEN or ONE, fans will not miss a minute of the action.